👩‍👩‍👦intro to sociology review

Sexual orientation

Written by the Fiveable Content Team • Last updated September 2025
Written by the Fiveable Content Team • Last updated September 2025

Definition

Sexual orientation is an enduring pattern of emotional, romantic, or sexual attractions to men, women, both sexes, neither sex, or another sex. It also includes a person's sense of identity based on those attractions, related behaviors, and membership in a community of others who share those attractions.